-- How do I find a reputable contractor or designer for my renovation?
There are a lot of resources available to homeowners to find a reliable renovation company. Here are a few websites that I recommend:
National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) http://www.nari.org/
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) http://nkba.org/
Both of these sites offer great resources for homeowners, but it's always important to ask for references when interviewing various contractors. Allowing someone the opportunity to work in your home requires a lot of trust, so feel free to ask as many questions up front as you need to feel 100% confident!
-- What's the best way to incorporate current trends into your design?
I tend to love the latest design trends and colors; however, I think it's important to use these in a smart way. I think items that are attached to the structure of the home (cabinets, tile, etc) should remain in more of a neutral color palette. This allows for wall color, furniture, and accessory items to reflect the current trends. For resale purposes, this would allow a potential home buyer to change the look of a space without having to gut it and start from scratch.
(That being said, there are some projects that require that significant "WOW" factor... and as a designer, that's like music to my ears)